The North Cascades Grizzly Bear Steering Committee is founded on resolutions and direction from Stó:lō, Nlaka’pamux, St’át’imc, Syilx, and Secwepemc Nation leadership.
The Steering Committee was developed out of a 2018 Joint Nation resolution to protect and conserve Grizzly bears. It is made up by multiple First Nations, British Columbia officials, conservation organizations, and subject matter experts. The diversity of perspectives, responsibilities and approaches of the committee members highlights the inclusive, collaborative approach of the Joint Nations Initiative.
The purpose of the Steering Committee is to:
Identify and confirm shared objectives with respect to grizzly bear population stewardship;
Develop and implement shared stewardship plans that include strategies and actions to achieve shared objectives for each Grizzly Bear Population Unit
Ensure that stewardship plans are based on the best available science, Indigenous knowledge, and local knowledge, and are informed by social and economic considerations
Members of the Steering Committee
Holding the pen, providing indigenous knowledge and serving as main decision-makers
Government of British Columbia
Providing capacity and resources for stewardship plan development and implementation.
Non-profits and Subject Matter Experts
Providing funding, facilitation support, and western scientific knowledge.
Biodiversity Pathways
Michelle McLellan (R.P.Bio)
Tony Hamilton (R.P.Bio)
Cross-boundary Partnerships
Grizzly bears do not recognize administrative or political boundaries.
Effective population stewardship of wildlife requires cooperative efforts and inter-jurisdictional strategies. The Joint Nation Grizzly Bear Initiative collaborates and coordinates efforts with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee’s (IGBC) and U.S. federal agencies, like the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Washington Forest Service, the Montana Forest Service, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
